Region
Bari (Bosaso)
Bari is Puntland's north-east region, with the port city of Bosaso (Boosaaso) as its capital and about 1.28 million people. Its frankincense harvesters have been displaced by fighting in the mountains, food prices rose by up to half in late 2025, and Bosaso is a main crossing point for migrants heading to Yemen.
Who lives there
About 1,281,189 people (IPC, January 2026). The region has six districts: Bosaso (the capital), Qardho, Bandarbeyla, Iskushuban, Calula and Qandala (EUAA 2026).
Fighting displaced 24,660 people from April 2025 to February 2026, almost all inside Bari. The largest flow was 17,299 people from Qandala, and 14,524 of them went to Bosaso district. Another 1,597 arrived from other regions (EUAA 2026).
About 2,500 rural frankincense families fled after fighting grew in December 2024. They came from Balli Dhedin, Hamure, Qandala and Buq (Radio Ergo, Mar 2025).
Work and money
- Frankincense: families harvest twice a year. Displaced harvesters now have no income, and many carry debts to traders, for example $300 (Radio Ergo).
- Living costs: water in Dhurbo costs $6 a barrel. School fees are $40 a month per child.
- Food prices: flour, rice and oil rose 30% to 50% in late 2025 in Bosaso, Garowe and Qardho (AllAfrica, Dec 2025).
Who governs
The Puntland State administration. Puntland forces fight ISIS-Somalia in the Al Miskaad mountains, with outside support. Puntland said in June 2025 that the area was 98% cleared, but the group was active again by October 2025. Al-Shabaab is present in the Al Madow mountains west of Bosaso. From April 2025 to March 2026 there were 719 incidents and 1,034 deaths (EUAA 2026).
Migrants passing through
Bosaso is a main departure point to Yemen for Ethiopians, Eritreans and Somalis from the south. Smugglers charge $300 to $500 a person. By July 2026 over 200 migrants had died at sea or in the desert that year. On 22 July, 56 Ethiopians, including 10 children travelling alone, were returned home from Bosaso with IOM (AllAfrica, Jul 2026).
Top needs
- Water and food for displaced and drought-hit families.
- Income for displaced frankincense harvesters and fishers.
- Safety information and dignity for migrants, especially children alone.
- School places that families can afford.
- Basic health care and first aid in new settlements.
What we don't know yet
Fishing incomes, port and trade figures, and minority communities in Bosaso. If you know, use "Fix this page".
Sources
- EUAA 2026 · euaa.europa.eu
- Radio Ergo, Mar 2025 · radioergo.org
- AllAfrica, Dec 2025 · allafrica.com
- AllAfrica, Jul 2026 · allafrica.com
Gathered in our research record “Somalia regions”. Wikipedia is used only as a backup.
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